Christian Rock Musician From Chicopee Held Without Bail On Child Pornography Possession Charges

[Satanica]

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/christian_rock_musician_from_c.html

[....]
Victor Stepus, 47, was arrested on Aug. 21 after federal investigators raided his home and began searched his computer and several digital DVDs the suspect told agents contained child pornography. He told investigators he was specifically attracted to girls between 12 and 15, according to a criminal complaint filed by FBI Agent Ian Smythe.

However, among 8,000 images and 33 videos investigators recovered from his computer, several were of boys and girls as young as 8 years old, the federal court record states. Smythe noted that Stepus told him he only began using the computer two weeks ago.
[....]
not an American citizen but a legal permanent resident of the United States from Ukraine. Witnesses in the investigation added that he is a heavy drinker and has been abusive to some members of his family
[....]
Court records state that Stepus consented to an audio-taped interview with FBI agents, during which he admitted beginning to download kiddie porn several years ago while his wife was at work.

Stepus and his Christian rock band have been featured in various media devoted to music including "bandmine." He is featured on YouTube and other sites singing what appears to be their primary hit, "Zombi," in Ukrainian, in churches across the country.

 

[Alf]

8,000 images [...] only began using the computer two weeks ago.

He's been busy, hasn't he?

--Al

 

[cubby]

My general feeling is that there is generally something nasty somewhere behind the facade of alot of so-called Christians.

 

[Countess Olenska]

GRRRRRROSS

 

[Cameray]

DOJ Press Release...

Chicopee Man Charged with Receiving Child Pornography

BOSTON – Victor Stepus, 47, of Chicopee, was charged on Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 in U.S. District Court in Springfield with one count of receipt of material involving the sexual exploitation of children.

On the morning of Aug. 21, 2015, federal agents executed a search warrant at Stepus’s residence where they seized a personal computer that contained over 8,000 images and 33 videos of child pornography. These included images that depicted the sexual abuse, including bondage, of girls as young as eight years old.

During an interview with federal agents, Stepus stated that for the past several years he used his home computer to access and download child pornography two to three times per week while his wife was at work. Stepus admitted that he is sexually attracted to 12 to 15 year old girls.

The charging statute provides a minimum mandatory sentence of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of Ortiz's Springfield Branch Office.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.

 

[disgusted4sho]

No.....he's presumed guilty when he admitted that he liked young child porn. The proof was that 8,000 downloaded kiddie porn found on his computer.

What the fuck more do you need. Dumbfucks. Give him Lwop. He's an obvious threat to the community. Lock him up and through away the key. Stop wasting our tax dollars on a fucking trial. He admitted to it for fucks sake!!

 

[Brenni]

Diddling for Jesus

 

[Krystal]

Heavy drinking + Abuse + Child Porn= Christian

Well, religion has sure changed in the years since my grandparents used to take me to church...

 

[reneelvsbrian]

 

[cubby]

Well, religion has sure changed in the years since my grandparents used to take me to church...

You are right and wrong. Even back then the old men that sat on the front row with the AMEN after every sentence had their secrets. I used to work at a convenience store that was the closest one to our church and every Friday and Saturday, here they come buying beer and girly magazines while sitting in church on Sunday condemning all that. Then there the one that drank rubbing alcohol and men's cologne he was in a category all to himself.

Nobody has ever had to convince me of the hypocrisy of some fanatic Christians, I saw it for myself and formed my own opinions. I guess you could say, even tho I was raised Southern Baptist, I lean way over towards being agnostic. Just because of the things I have observed.

How could there be an all wise and wonderful Savior who will solve all your problems if you take it to him in prayer but then leave the world in such despair.

 

[JackBurton]

My general feeling is that there is generally something nasty somewhere behind the facade of alot of so-called Christians.

There's something nasty somewhere behind the facade of a lot of so-called fucking everybody.

Christian rock is such trash. Christian music in general is pure trash. The problem is the fans of it like it just cuz it's about god. I know people that otherwise have good taste, i know that they appreciate genuinely good music and know what good music actually is. Yet they listen to this complete shit simply cuz it's about God, they don't care at all how generic or shity it sounds, it's about jesus so they're on board. It's bizarre.

I don't dig a song simply cuz it's about something i'm passionate about or love, if anything i'd want a song about such a thing to be as great as possible.

 

[Abroad]

Christian music in general is pure trash.

I am quite partial to Bach, myself, and wouldn't describe that as "pure trash", though it is undeniably Christian music.....

 

[Totemic]

“On Saturday night, I would see men lusting after half-naked girls dancing at the carnival, and on Sunday morning when I was playing organ for tent-show evangelists at the other end of the carnival lot, I would see these same men sitting in the pews with their wives and children, asking God to forgive them and purge them of carnal desires. And the next Saturday they'd be back at the carnival or some other place of indulgence. I knew then that the Christian church thrives on hypocrisy, and that man's carnal nature will out no matter how much it is purged or scoured by any white-light religion.”
― Anton Szandor LaVey, The Satanic Bible

Not a follower, but that man had some great quotes.

 

[sheknows]

I am quite partial to Bach, myself, and wouldn't describe that as "pure trash", though it is undeniably Christian music.....

<3 Bach too

 

[bugsmom12]

My general feeling is that there is generally something nasty somewhere behind the facade of alot of so-called Christians.

Unfortunately evil lives & breaths everyday, all around us WITHOUT prejudice to race, gender or religion... although it would appear to have a preference for Catholic priests... Just saying

 

[JackBurton]

“On Saturday night, I would see men lusting after half-naked girls dancing at the carnival, and on Sunday morning when I was playing organ for tent-show evangelists at the other end of the carnival lot, I would see these same men sitting in the pews with their wives and children, asking God to forgive them and purge them of carnal desires. And the next Saturday they'd be back at the carnival or some other place of indulgence. I knew then that the Christian church thrives on hypocrisy, and that man's carnal nature will out no matter how much it is purged or scoured by any white-light religion.”

I don't really see the significance of the quote. It's not like the men were declaring that they were innocent of any sin, they were owning up to it in church and asking for forgiveness. Big deal. Whatever helps somebody cope with something that troubles their mind should be of no one elses concern, unless it's dangerous or causes harm to others.